THE novice individual 80cm class started the day at Killossery Lodge Stud for the latest leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools League.

Once again going clear in a time of 29.39 seconds was CS Curheen Freddie, ridden by Lily O’Sullivan, representing Scoil Dara Kilcock. Lily now has such a collection of winners’ rugs that her mother commented they will have to buy more horses to wear them all!

Taking second place was Amelia Durkan from Holy Child Killiney with Riverdale Countess in a time of 29.72 seconds. The early leader in the class, Finn Breen with Brookwood Tiger from Lacken NS, had to be content with third place (31.99).

Hard on his heels was Saoirse Dollard from Loreto Balbriggan who crossed the line on Carn Silver Diamond (32.42). The final two places in the line-up were filled by Lucy Darby (Darkly Julie), representing Tynock NS, while sixth place went to Tullow Community School’s Niamh Tobin (Millbrea Wendy).

Joy for Loreto team

In the novice team competition, six teams competed for the honours. Loreto Secondary School Wexford’s team of Jessie Murphy (Phoebe), Ashley Durak (Curraghmore Sparrow), Kate Walsh (Rathmanna) and Cora Finn (Shakespeares Romeo Montague) made it look like it was going to be a one-horse race with their overall score of zero. However it was the last team in, Newbridge College, who gave them a run for their money also finishing on zero for a jump-off.

Jessie Murphy rode Phoebe to a lovely clear as did schoolmate Kate Walsh putting the pressure on Mai Monaghan (Saitre Imperial Commander) and Mia Browne (Basil Brush) for Newbridge.

An unfortunate pole down in a faster time saw Loreto taking the rugs with Newbridge having to settle for second spot. Newbridge was also represented by Sarah Fleming (Cornaughy Noel) and Louise Maguire (Kilmovee Bridal Excess).

Taking third place was Pipers Hill College Naas with one time fault. The school was represented by Nancy Fleming (Dunway Alnus), Lucy Jones (Dunway Ratchit) and Christopher Doolan (Rathosey Cailin Bui). Eureka Secondary School were fourth with a total of eight faults while St Gerard’s finished on 12 faults, leaving them in fifth and Holy Child Secondary School in sixth.

In the EII 90cm Novice Individual qualifying class, first in Sarah Boyce Donohue steered Four Mile Boy through the finish in 29.82, really putting the pressure on the rest of the class. Closest to the winner was Amelia Durkan from Holy Child Killiney who finished in 30.22 on Riverdale Countess. Sarah, a pupil of Ard Scoil Rathangan, also took third spot with Thomastown Quest.

Alexander College was represented by Catherine O’Connor (Colin) (31.13) while St Gerard’s pupil Darby Condren took fifth (Chesterfield Erin) and Niamh Tobin from Tullow Community College slotted into sixth with the bay Herskeys Kiss and also took 10th with the grey Millbrae Wendy.

Dominican College joy

Five teams contested the open team competition. The top honours went to Dominican College Wicklow’s team of Casey Neville (Westbrock Dancer), Naoise O’Neill (Slanelough Supremacy), Baylee Neville (Drumlane Oscar) and Megan Neville (Monamia) from runners-up Gorey Community Schools green team of Ciara O’Connor (Gleann Princess), Jessica Murphy (Ashwood Reggie), Lauren Spencer (Sparrow), Angelica McGee (Abby Brook Aurore).

Newbridge College’s Sophie O’Neill (Blackwoodland Willow), Annie O’Neill (Shanbo Missy), Alice O’Sullivan (Mary Rose) and Tom Nestor (Tullaree Ruby Tuesday) were third. Colaiste Bhride Carnew’s team of Cian Byrne (Carra Cave Boy), Hannah O’Neill (Drummin Pretty Lady) and Chloe Walsh (Althorp) were fourth.

Win for Berry

In the TRI open individual class, Grace Berry from Wesley College set the winning standard (29.49) on Kelle. Her closest rival was the Colaiste de Lacy pupil Abi Lawler who rode Blessington Willow Fly into second in 30.61.

The Dominican College kept up their run of good luck with Baylee Neville slotting Drumlane Oscar into third. Newbridge College’s Clodagh McCarthy was fourth (Breakfast At Tiffanys) and Scoil Mhuire’s Meabh Long took fifth (Abu Dhabi). The final spot went to Pippa Bellows from St Gerard’s on Tatuyana Ramirovna.

The final class last Saturday was the HSI 1.10m qualifer. There were five competitors for the qualifying places up for grabs. Colaiste Bhride’s Cian Byrne and Hunters Lodge Puissance again took first place with a lovely double clear in a fast time of 31.72.

Second place went to Dominican College Wicklow student Megan Neville with MHS Talisman who crossed the line in 40.27 while third place was taken by Loreto Secondary School Bray student Jennifer O’Brien on Ballyorney Rua.